Any other lp's recnty started or about to start working ??

[MrsMorgan]

I start on Monday and feel quite stressed already, not about the job, but more about sorting out everything else, like tax credits, and other things.

I have missed payroll cut off, and so won't get paid now until the end of October

Anyone else recently come off benefits to go back to work ?? Thought we could give each other some moral support.

Congratulations on your new job :)

Could you ring the jobcentre and have them guide you through the process? If you explain that you won't get paid until end of October I'm sure they won't cut your tax credits immediately.

I've not started to look for a job yet. Youngest is only 10mths but I shall soon so I'll come and join you then.

You should get a £250 money dump in your account, plus your tax credits should carry on (child) as normal, and I think your WCT should kick in soon too.

You will be fine.

how long were you on benefits? If it's over a certian amount of time, you are entitled to a £40 pw in work credit for a few months to help you get started.

Yeh I have an appointent at the jobcentre tomorrow. I will get the back to work grant and the in work credit, so that will help. I am sure I was told the in work credit was for a whole year though. Must check that tomorrow.

I did tell the jobcentre that I won't get paid until end of Oct but they kind of said tough lol.

Have borrowed money from my mum to get a bus pass for the month, and have to pay her that back asap. If tax credits sort out my wtc quickly then I will be ok.

My rent and council tax will continue to be paid for the first 4 weeks, and then after that I will have to pay all of my council tax and roughly £65 of my rent. I think my HA will be ok about waiting for the rent if I explain the situation and set up a DD for future payments.

Thank's for the congratsulations

Well done I'm in my second week and have found going back after 14 years quite a struggle. Its having to remember so much stuff and having to answer to someone if you do something wrong. I recieved £250 this week and some jobseekers. Child tax credit continues and you should also get another 4 weeks housing and council tax benefit but I was told to phone them and let them know even though the jobcentre said they will be informed. I have been trying to get through to working tax credit for over a week to get a claim pack and I just keep being told all advisors are busy and to call back, I have no idea how long it will take to get through and then they have to set it all up so I'm not sure what will happen after the 4 weeks are up and I have to start paying rent and council tax. Have you been able to get through to them? Well done again

Thank's, well done to you too. It is scary isn't it.

I have been told not to ring and inform IS or tax credits until I actually start as sometimes they end up cocking it up before you even start.

I am a bit worried about not being able to get through to tax credits

I am praying it alll goes swimmingly, else I will have direct debits bouncing all over the place, and I don't have an over draft so will get charged.

What's your job toffee ?? Are you enjoying it ?

I got upset this morning because a couple of parents of ds's were saying how awful it is that ds will have to get up at 6:20 every morning so that I can leave on time. Made me fee guilty.

I'm a receptionist for a solicitors and i'm not really enjoying it but I am grateful for getting a job at last.

How old is your ds? My dd is 14 so its probably alot easier for me but I did have to leave her on her own for the last week and half of the hols and I was worrying what she might be getting up to but she is sensible.

I will probably go to the jobcentre tomorrow to get their advice about not being able to get through to tax credits, I'm only on p/t hours so the money isnt enough to live on even adding child tax credit, I still need wtc.

What is your new job MrsMorgan?

I will be housekeeper in a children's hospital . The actual job description is a bit confusing, but it seems like I will mainly be checking stock, levels, ordering, stock, putting stock away and general tidying etc.

I have 3 dc's, aged 12, 10, and 7.

I will be leaving the house at about 6:45 (i start at 8) with the youngest two, who are then going to their dad's and he will take them to school. He is however not that reliable and so I have about 3 people as back up lol. Dd1 will stay in the house, get ready for school and leave at 8.

I finnish at 2pm and then fetch the youngest two from school, get home, cook dinner, do homework, tidy up etc and then collapse in a heap no doubt.

I am worried that I will find it all too much, but tbh it was the first job i'd been offered in so so long. The early start isn't ideal, but having set hours, and getting back in time to fetch the kids is, and I also don't have to do weekends.

What is it about your job you are not enjoying toffee ?? Maybe you will deifferently once you have settled into a routine ?

Your probably right about settling into a routine, its only been two weeks. I guess I just expected to settle into the job as if I had not had a 14 year gap IYSWIM. I was speaking to someone the other day and they said I was being too hard on myself and expecting to much of myself too soon. I guess I'm just trying to prove I can do the job but I've lost all my confidence and self-esteem over the years which is really affecting my ability to do the job well. I have a months trial and I'm worried they wont keep me on. I think probably alot of parents feel this when they've not worked for so long.

I so know what you mean toffee. My confidence and self esteem are very low, and this has previously affected my ability to hold down a job.

I think we have to be kind to ourselves and realise that it was everyone's first day/week once, then look at them and see how comfortable they are there now. I need to do this, for me, to prove to myself that I can, and to get a life tbh.

Also my dc need to see me doing something other than just being their mum.

I've always worked and the reality is that you have to be super organised. But congratualtions to both of you for getting back to work, Mrs Morgan I know you had quite a lot of hassle with references and stuff, so I'm really pleased it's worked out for you.

I reckon it takes six months as a working single parent to get in the swing of it, so go easy and give it time. I work Mon-Thurs and have a five year old daughter - I'm also in the NHS. On a Sunday evening I lay out all my clothes for the next four work days. I also plan our meals in advance - a slow cooker and a rice cooker will be your best friends.

I would recommend having a regular shopping delivery, get your kids to do stuff around the house (DD lays the table, gets dressed, puts all her clothes straight in the washing basket etc) and make sure you plan in time for yourself. Also I think you could ask at least your oldest to cook one night a week - heat a pizza, baked potato and beans etc.

Good luck, you might even enjoy it!

I'd love to work and am looking.

But I have concerns:
What sort of job am I going to get for 16 hours?
Will it be local so I can rush to the school before and after?
Will I be able to have days off when my dd is ill?
Will I be able to afford childcare if I decide to work longer hours?
IS it right that I don't want to work full time? I mean, she's 4 and I have no grandparents in this country so I am her only immediate relative and don't wnt to see her for just a half hour at night sort of thing.
And wil I be able to afford my rent and bills with the changes in my income?

So I went to the jobcentre plus and I spoke to my lone parent adviser to get the low down on how working will affect the tax credits etc.

She worked out that if I were to work 16 hours per week on minimum wage I would be better off by 68 quid. (She did a 'benefits comparison')

She advised me to think carefully about how many hours I would work from 16-30 hours because as I have no free childcare ie family I might end up being out of pocket, and would only actually have 19 quid more in my pocket than if I was working 16 hours. So 14 hours for 19 quid basically.

Although with childcare you can get 80% paid for so long as you have the place and your child is already going sort of thing.

So I am looking for 16 hours
Hopefully it won't be minimum wage, but if it is it is still a step up
It will open doors, allow me to meet more people, give me confidence and give me a stepping stone to find perhaps a new career

Thank's Queen - Getting that reference was a nightmare, had to hand deliver it in the end lol.

Organisation isn't my strongest point atm, but I will learn quickly i think. My mum is planning on coming round a couple of times a week to do my ironing and cleaning etc, so I am really lucky in that respect.

Good luck Hanbanan , you will find something eventually.